South Devon Woodlands

^{Photo by Unique Devon Tours}

From boarder to boarder, South Devon has an abundance of beautiful woodlands to offer. Much of the ancient woodlands have survived from the Medieval period, acting as a habitat to many different species who rely on the landscape to live. Spending time in forests and between trees has been known to reduce stress, allowing us to feel calm, relaxed and reconnected to nature. Here’s a list are our favourite woodlands and walks across South Devon. 

Bellever Forest 

Situated in the centre of Dartmoor is Bellever Forest, a beautiful woodland, rich with wildlife and history. Whether you’re looking for a gentle walk with your furry friend along the river, a trail to cycle with your family, or a more strenuous walk up to Bellever Tor, you’ll find this woodland suits all your needs! There are variety of tracks to follow, why not take the Bellever Tour Trail to meet some wild Dartmoor ponies, or if history is an interest of yours, perhaps the History Hunters Trail might be to your liking. To enjoy this walk, it’s advised to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes, as well as a waterproof jacket and sun cream – you may even need both on the same day! 

Haldon Forest Park 

Haldon Forest is an expansive woodland, made up of 3,500 acres. This beautiful park is just a short 15-minute drive from Exeter and is the perfect place to escape everyday life and immerse yourself in the outdoors. The Discovery Trail is a great walk for all-abilities, including wheelchairs and pushchair users. Visitors with limited mobility can even hire one of their off-road mobility trampers! There are lots of other great trails suitable for walkers, runners, cyclists and horse riders. If you’re looking for something fun to do with the family or a group of friends, perhaps rent a Segway or give Go Ape a try!  

Plymbridge Woods 

If you’re looking for a woodland walk near Plymouth, Plymbridge Woods is the perfect spot. This stunning valley consists of riverside meadows extending along the River Plym, ancient woodlands and opens up to the wilderness of Dartmoor. Have fun with the family on the Plymbridge Woods Cycle Trail, which follows the route of an old Great Western Railway track. The best time to visit is during the spring when the woodland floor is painted with wildflowers such as bluebells, primroses and wild garlic! 

Fingle Woods 

Located in the Teign Valley, between Exeter and Okehampton, you can find Fingle Woods, a site consisting of eight different, but equally stunning woods. The area is owned by the National Trust whose aim is to restore it for the benefit of wildlife and public access. You can start or end your walk at Fingle Bridge, the gateway to the woods and Castle Drogo.The trail is mostly flat, but there’s a steep ascent at the beginning of the walk to take you to the top of Teign Gorge. There’s a lovely pub at Fingle Bridge, or a café at Castle Drogo where you can replenish after a day spent exploring the woods! 

Hardwick Wood 

Hardwick Wood, near Plymouth is a great place if you’re looking for somewhere Instagramable to take some photos. This 45-acre woodland sits on a prominent hilltop, south of Plympton village and adjacent to the Georgian Saltram Estate. Head over there in the spring to see the bluebells blossoming or enjoy the red and orange hues of the trees in the autumn time. There’s also an abundance of wildlife here, you may come across foxes or roe deer, and keep an eye out for birds such as the nuthatch and the great spotted woodpecker. 

Andrew’s Wood 

Andrew’s Wood is a beautiful, 45-acre woodland and nature reserve in the South Hams, sitting just 5 miles from Kingsbridge. There are 3 walking trails, all of various lengths, home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including a herd of Exmoor ponies who graze the meadows and fields of Andrew’s Woods. From the top of the reserve, views stretch over the rolling hills of the South Hams, as far as the eye can see. Not too far from here, you’ll find a few farm shops to stop at to grab a coffee or bite to eat after your walk. 

Decoy Country Park 

Family-friendly with plenty to do, Decoy County Park is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a day out with your little ones. Based in Newton Abbot, this Green Flag award winning park and nature reserve provides a large play area containing a zip line and a water play feature (open seasonally), as well as trails around the woodlands and lake. The site provides opportunities for walking, wildlife watching, picnics, duck feeding as well as educational facilities provided at the Decoy Discovery Centre. The park is in easy reach of Newton Abbot town centre and train station. 

Trinity Hill 

Close to the town of Axminster, in East Devon, you’ll find the Trinity Hill Nature Reserve, a large area of lowland heathland, woodland and a network of footpaths which extend either side of Trinity Hill Road. In the summer, bare sandy paths which quickly warm up act as a resting place for reptiles that require warmth, such as the common lizard. Take a minute to bask in the sun, admire the view of the Axe Valley and listen to the birdcalls of the Linnets, who are thriving in this part of the country, despite numbers declining across the UK.  

Stover County Park 

A great place to take your dog for a walk off-lead is Stover County Park, a 114-acre woodland for your pup to run around in. Nestled on the outskirts of Newton Abbot, the park’s main feature is Stover Lake, there’s a steady path along the water, perfect for a morning or afternoon stroll. The lake is home to a variety of birds who live and nest there, so if you have a pooch who will make a beeline straight for the water, it’s best to keep a lead on them whilst around the lake! The lake is especially beautiful during the autumn where the trees radiate colours of red, yellow and orange. 

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